First time owner - How is my setup?

[pretends2bnormal]

This recommendation does come a lot! I am trying to future-proof my build as much as possible. If using a modified Sterlite tub/bin I'd have to provide a different heating source and such. I feel more comfortable just setting up the T8 and providing enough cover. If this becomes a huge passion of mine I'll purchase a rack system (which is pretty similar to just using a tub, right?) that can accommodate a lot of snakes. How did you provide the proper husbandry for your hatchling when using the tub? Perhaps I am just ignorant and perhaps this is a route that I would want to consider. Thanks!

Here is another thought. You can always place a smaller tub enclosure inside an un-divided T8, use the full sized RHP, and just place the tub where it gets an appropriate gradient. (Obviously some experimenting needed)

For ventilation I'd leave the doors open/removed on the PVC while using the inner tub, but this will give you time to see how ready of an eater your snake is and let you get a feel for if he would be more or less comfortable in the full cage. (Some are just very shy and this will be closer to what it is used to to gradually acclimate the snake to a new environment) A 28qt sized tub would be a good middle ground so he gets a bigger space, but not huge. And would save you from possibly needing 2 RHPs or buying different heat stuff for a stand alone tub.

This may only be needed for a few months and would be cheap. The RHP would do a good job heating it and save you from having to spend extra on heat equipment.

I've done this with a new BP before to good success.

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[Jmarshall]

Here is another thought. You can always place a smaller tub enclosure inside an un-divided T8, use the full sized RHP, and just place the tub where it gets an appropriate gradient. (Obviously some experimenting needed)

For ventilation I'd leave the doors open/removed on the PVC while using the inner tub, but this will give you time to see how ready of an eater your snake is and let you get a feel for if he would be more or less comfortable in the full cage. (Some are just very shy and this will be closer to what it is used to to gradually acclimate the snake to a new environmen) A 28qt sized tub would be a good middle ground si he gets a bigger space, but not huge. And would save you from possibly needing 2 RHPs or buying different heat stuff for a stand alone tub.

This may only be needed for a few months and would be cheap. The RHP would do a good job heating it and save you from having to spend extra on heat equipment.

I've done this with a new BP before to good success.

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Excellent idea


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[JRLongton]

Here is another thought. You can always place a smaller tub enclosure inside an un-divided T8, use the full sized RHP, and just place the tub where it gets an appropriate gradient. (Obviously some experimenting needed) ...

This may only be needed for a few months and would be cheap. The RHP would do a good job heating it and save you from having to spend extra on heat equipment.

I've done this with a new BP before to good success.

Now that is a great idea! I may steal that one myself.

[tptad]

I've had no issues with aspen, but am always open to new things. I'm actually getting another RHP in the coming days that I'll use in the vacant side of my divided enclosure. The plan is to experiment with all kinds of substrates and mixes to see what results I get.

25-50% in Summer. That's my Winter range. Yeah, take what I say on substrate with a grain of salt...

Oh, you might want to get a couple of these also: https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Humid...gateway&sr=8-1

I have two in each of my enclosures.

It is super dry here. I've only lived here about a year and a half (moved from Alabama - what a difference!). I moved here in the middle of winter and couldn't figure out why my nose would bleed a lot at night and why seemingly impossible things around the house were shocking me. I purchased the same hygrometer you linked and found out it was due to the super low humidity. Purchased a portable humidifier and it made a world of difference! My snake enclosure will more than likely be kept in my bedroom as it'll receive virtually no traffic except in the mornings when getting ready for work and at night before going to bed. If low humidity is still an issue even with appropriate enclosure / substrate / misting /etc. I do have a sufficiently sized humidifier more than capable of manipulating the humidity of the room. Thanks for recommending the product! I'll have to pick up two more so I can use two and have one as a spare.

[pretends2bnormal]

Now that is a great idea! I may steal that one myself.

My initial use of it was to just get the first 3 meals down for my 2nd BP & first baby, then have it and the cage set up with the lid off so he could choose to move to the bigger space or not as he preferred. But it was a 80g BP and a 30"×16" cage, so it wasn't as big of a space and he was a very confident little noodle.

For a full T8, I'd probably wait till the snake is 250-300g at least before opening up a 28qt to the full cage option or is clearly confident & a strong feeder if desired before that.

Side benefit is that the opaque walls on 5 sides, even if outside the tub, help with security compared to a stand alone tub since they can't see looming predators or people walking by except on 1 side.

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[JRLongton]

I didn't want to have to wait longer than necessary to receive the T8 from Animal Plastics so I didn't choose the option to have my Pro-Products RHP shipped to them for installation. Is the necessary modifications pretty simple to mount one of these things? If anyone could post a picture of the mods needed for it that would be great! Maybe I am just overthinking it? Thanks!

In my experience, the RHP will arrive from Pro-Products LONG, LONG, before they even begin to process the order at AP. Lots of people like AP here, so I'll keep silent on the issue, but I don't buy from them anymore for just that reason.

As for installing the RHP yourself, it's easy a pie. Just two screws is all it takes. You can use self tapping screws and go directly into the PVC if you want. Or, if you're at least a little handy and have the tools, you can measure out and drill two holes and install blind nuts. Then run a pair of machine screws through the holes already provided in the RHP and thread them into the blind nuts. That's what they do at AP.

[Jmarshall]

In my experience, the RHP will arrive from Pro-Products LONG, LONG, before they even begin to process the order at AP. Lots of people like AP here, so I'll keep silent on the issue, but I don't buy from them anymore for just that reason.

As for installing the RHP yourself, it's easy a pie. Just two screws is all it takes. You can use self tapping screws and go directly into the PVC if you want. Or, if you're at least a little handy and have the tools, you can measure out and drill two holes and install blind nuts. Then run a pair of machine screws through the holes already provided in the RHP and thread them into the blind nuts. That's what they do at AP.

I know turn around time on APs is out of this world. I had read somewhere that they are opening a bigger shop (maybe?) which would cut down on production time. Can’t remember where I read it tho.


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[reptilemom25]

Here is another thought. You can always place a smaller tub enclosure inside an un-divided T8, use the full sized RHP, and just place the tub where it gets an appropriate gradient. (Obviously some experimenting needed)

For ventilation I'd leave the doors open/removed on the PVC while using the inner tub, but this will give you time to see how ready of an eater your snake is and let you get a feel for if he would be more or less comfortable in the full cage. (Some are just very shy and this will be closer to what it is used to to gradually acclimate the snake to a new environment) A 28qt sized tub would be a good middle ground so he gets a bigger space, but not huge. And would save you from possibly needing 2 RHPs or buying different heat stuff for a stand alone tub.

This may only be needed for a few months and would be cheap. The RHP would do a good job heating it and save you from having to spend extra on heat equipment.

I've done this with a new BP before to good success.

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this is brilliant!

[tptad]

I have a T8 and ventilation is a problem unless you drill extra holes. And substrate like coco fiber and cypress mulch will give you lots of humidity, like dripping wet on the hides and things. Some keepers don't mind because the humidity will go down but it will take several days, or longer, due to lack of holes for ventilation. Scale rot occurs with bacterial growth on wet substrate and feces/urine which can take awhile to accumulate so spot cleaning daily helps prevent it. Imo fungi is the bigger threat but that too depends on what you have inside the enclosure to allow such growth. Personally, I prefer a dry tank over a wet one so I used aspen with a large water bowl. It is whatever that works for you and your snake.

When you are picking out your snake, make sure to ask if it ate, what type of prey, live or f/t, when it last ate, how many times and when it was last shed. There are breeders out there selling babies that had not eaten yet so while they may eat, it is better to avoid them as a beginner. Those who already have the experience working with picky eaters are more suitable for snakes like that.

Check for any mucous around the nose and mouth. Feel for any bumps from head to the tip of the tail. It would be loud around you but try to listen for any clicking or odd noises as it breathes.

A good seller is someone who would spend the time answering your questions or even offer additional info without asking. If he or she is getting impatient with you because you want to know when it last ate, skip that vendor. If they don't know something and they are not the breeder, they should be transparent about it and tell you that they don't know. Try to avoid the third party suppliers who are more concerned about making a sale. If something sounds too good to be true (Ie Really low price for a usually expensive morph), it probably is.

I had a great experience with Dynasty Reptiles if you come across them at the expo.

Be patient. Don't appear desperate or impatient. Take your time to pick out a healthy snake from a good breeder. If you don't feel comfortable who you are buying it from, skip them. While one can still buy from them and still do just fine, you want your first experience to be a great one, not one to start with worries and potential problems.

It is sooo dry here I am not anticipating excess humidity being a problem. Drilling extra holes, if needed, isn't outside of my comfort zone. May I ask how many holes you drilled and where?

I appreciate all of the helpful information for the expo. I have a list of questions I have written out to make sure I am asking the right ones. If I don't walk away with a snake during the expo, no biggie. I will show some reservation here to make sure I am making an informed (rather than impulsive) buy. I am still learning about the many morphs that are available and still debating between a male or a female. I'm going with a friend of mine that has owned snakes for over 10 years so I am counting on her helping me out with directing me to the right vendors/breeders and to ensure I am asking all the right questions.

Speaking of morphs and prices. I've noticed that there is a pretty big discrepancy between pricing from vendor-to-vendor and breeder-to-breeder. I'm assuming this is normal? Supply and demand in different areas, reputation, things like that affecting price?

[reptilemom25]

Speaking of morphs and prices. I've noticed that there is a pretty big discrepancy between pricing from vendor-to-vendor and breeder-to-breeder. I'm assuming this is normal? Supply and demand in different areas, reputation, things like that affecting price?

Quality of the animal and the gene expression plays into price as well.